The founding fathers clearly did not want America to be a religion-dominated country. In the Virginia Act for Religious Freedom, Thomas Jefferson said, “No man shall be compelled to frequent or support any religious worship, place, or ministry whatsoever.” The concept of “religious freedom” is being seriously abused these days. Why should employers be allowed […]
religious freedom
Posted inNation / World, sj-web
Trump administration narrows contraception coverage by ACA
The Trump administration issued a rule Friday that sharply limits the Affordable Care Act’s contraception coverage mandate, a move that could mean many American women would no longer have access to birth control free of charge. The new regulation, issued by the Health and Human Services Department, allows a much broader group of employers and […]
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Posted inOp-Eds
The main message of Pope Francis (and Jesus)
NEW YORK — I am not a Christian. But growing up in India, I was immersed in the religion. I attended Catholic and Anglican schools from ages 5 to 18, at which we would sing hymns, recite prayers, and study the Scriptures. And the words and actions of Pope Francis have reminded me what I, […]
Posted inLetters
D. Marquis: Hiding behind religion
Thomas Shields’ letter (May 10) about religious freedom causes us to examine our beliefs. Do we discriminate against others when their behavior conflicts with our own beliefs? Is discrimination, based on who another person chooses to love, a just way to act in civilized society? Every culture since time began believed their existence was a […]
Posted inLetters
T. Shields: The free exercise of religion
An issue has arisen in this nation’s legal system, balancing religious freedom against discriminatory practices. The First Amendment of the United States Constitution says there shall be no law prohibiting the free exercise of religion. News reports say that the homosexual crowd has targeted florists and bakers whose Christian faiths do not allow them to […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
Maine legislator withdraws ‘religious freedom’ bill
AUGUSTA — A Republican Maine senator says he’s withdrawing his “religious freedom” bill that’s similar to proposals that have caused protests in other states. Sen. David Burns said Wednesday that he doesn’t believe his proposal would get a fair hearing in the Legislature. He says that opponents and the media have “poisoned the well of […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
Lisbon, Dixfield legislators co-sponsor religious freedom bill
Just a housekeeping note: Sen. David Burns’ “Act to Enact the Preservation of Religious Freedom Act” has been printed and given an LD number — 1340. The text of the bill is the same as I reported last week. ICYMI, the bill is nearly identical in substance to the controversial religious freedom law passed recently […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
Maine lawmaker’s religious freedom bill mirrors Indiana law
AUGUSTA — A draft of a Maine senator’s “religious freedom” bill shows the plan is nearly identical to the Indiana law that has sparked national controversy in recent weeks from those who say it has legalized discrimination based on sexual orientation. The draft of the bill by Sen. David Burns, R-Whiting, was obtained by the […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
Maine House kills bill that would add religious protections
AUGUSTA — A bill that would have added protections to religious freedom in Maine — most of which opponents said already exist — failed on Thursday in the House of Representatives, which means essentially that the measure is dead. The House voted 89-52 against the bill. Most Democrats and all four independents opposed the bill, […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
Maine Senate rejects ‘religious freedom’ bill
AUGUSTA — The state Senate rejected a bill Tuesday aimed at strengthening legal protections for religious freedom, which opponents say is unnecessary and could roll back decades of advances made for civil rights. The Democrat-controlled Senate voted 19-16 in favor of rejecting Republican Sen. David Burns’ bill, which he said would ensure the state has […]